'''M'Hamid''' is a small village in [[Zagora]] region of [[Morocco]], one of the two places in Morocco where Sahara begins (another is [[Merzouga]]). M'Hamid gets fewer visitors than Merzouga and is arguably more "authentic." It is about 7- 8 hours by car from Marrakech and 5 hours from Ourzazate.

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'''M'Hamid''' is a small village in [[Zagora]] region of [[Morocco]], 98 km after Zagora, one of the two places in Morocco where Sahara begins (another is [[Merzouga]]). M'Hamid gets fewer visitors than Merzouga and is arguably more "authentic." It is about 7-8 hours by car from [[Marrakech]] and 5 hours from [[Ourzazate]]. It is "The end of the road" (the last point of The route national N°9), after it is only sands of [[Sahara]], shepherds and caravan trails.

==Understand==

==Understand==

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M'Hamid is next to the last major oasis one encounters on the way south into the greater [[Sahara]]. The area was historically important as the site (Sidi Khalil) where trade caravans gathered (some as large as 5000 camels) before setting off to [[Timbuktu]] and other destinations. Little of its interesting history is to be found on websites or in tourist guide books, but knowledgeable locals share the facts and stories with pride and a touch of melancholy.

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M'Hamid is next to the last major oasis one encounters on the way south into the greater [[Sahara]]. The area was historically important as the site (Sidi Khalil) where trade caravans gathered (some as large as 5,000 camels) before setting off to [[Timbuktu]] and other destinations. Little of its interesting history is to be found on websites or in tourist guide books, but knowledgeable locals share the facts and stories with pride and a touch of melancholy.

M'Hamid is also known as Bounou, once a thriving village made out of a mix of local Ait Atta berbers, Local drawa, and local Hassani tribes. The villages of Oulad Youssef, Oulad Mhaya and Ezouaya, amongst others, are scattered throughout the oasis. Local people get around on foot but small motorbikes are very popular too. Donkey carts are in widespread use for transporting goods.

M'Hamid is also known as Bounou, once a thriving village made out of a mix of local Ait Atta berbers, Local drawa, and local Hassani tribes. The villages of Oulad Youssef, Oulad Mhaya and Ezouaya, amongst others, are scattered throughout the oasis. Local people get around on foot but small motorbikes are very popular too. Donkey carts are in widespread use for transporting goods.

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The environment is harsh and fragile. You are urged to appreciate how scarce water is in the town (eg. in September 2011, taps went dry by early afternoon on many days). Despite this and to the severe frustration of locals, a number of the hotels have swimming pools. Choose wisely where you invest your money... it seems more sensible to head to the Moroccan coast if you are keen for a swim, desert temperatures notwithstanding.

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The environment is harsh and fragile. You are urged to appreciate how scarce water is in the town. In the past taps went dry by early afternoon on many days. Despite this and to the severe frustration of locals, a number of the hotels have swimming pools. Choose wisely where you invest your money... it seems more sensible to head to the Moroccan coast if you are keen for a swim, desert temperatures notwithstanding.

==Get in==

==Get in==

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===By car===

===By car===

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Around 2005, an asphalt road came to M'Hamid so you can reach the village from [[Ouarzazate]] by virtually any car. The trip from Ouarzazate is memorable, passing through small villages, the regional center of Zagora, and over a pass into the open desert.

Around 2005, an asphalt road came to M'Hamid so you can reach the village from [[Ouarzazate]] by virtually any car. The trip from Ouarzazate is memorable, passing through small villages, the regional center of Zagora, and over a pass into the open desert.

===By bus===

===By bus===

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You can take a CTM bus from Casablanca, Marrakech, or any city along the N9 road (Ouarzazate, Zagora, Tagounite). From Ouarzazate the trip is something like DH80; from Marrakech it is DH110 (as of 3/2011). CTM leaves from Marrakech around 12:30pm and from Ouarzazate at 4:15 pm and reaches M'hamid anywhere between 9 - 11 pm (as of 3/2011). Other bus companies exist, like SupraTours, Voyages Farah, et al.

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You can take a CTM bus from Casablanca, Marrakech, or any city along the N9 road (Ouarzazate, Zagora, Tagounite). From Ouarzazate the trip is something like DH80; from Marrakech it is DH110 (as of 3/2011). CTM leaves from Marrakech around 12:30 and from Ouarzazate at 16:15 and reaches M'hamid anywhere between 21:00-11PM (as of 3/2011). Other bus companies exist, like SupraTours, Voyages Farah, et al.

==Get around==

==Get around==

Line 21:

Line 25:

==See==

==See==

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There is a mosque in town, but as with the rest of Morocco, is not open to non muslims. A Kasbah is located about 2Km away on the road out of town (take a left at the mosque). The kasbah is inhabited by black Africans who came from Mali many years ago.

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There is a mosque in town, but as with the rest of Morocco, is not open to non-muslims. A Kasbah is located about 2Km away on the road out of town (take a left at the mosque). The kasbah is inhabited by black Africans who came from Mali many years ago.

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Other than this, the main attraction are the Erg Chigaga dunes which are about 60Km from the town. Overnight trips can be arrainged by many outfitters in M'Hamid.

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Other than this, the main attraction are the Erg Chigaga dunes which are about 60 km from the town. Overnight trips can be arrainged by many outfitters in M'Hamid.

==Do==

==Do==

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The main thing people come to M'Hamid are trips to desert, overnight or several days: by camel, 4x4, motor bike or a quad bike.

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If you plan to take two actitivities in desert, consider starting with a less intensive experience and proceeding to a more adventurous--to find something in every trip. For example, take quad biking after overnight camel trekking, not before.

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The main thing people come to M'Hamid for is trips to desert.

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+

Getting out is basically what one does in M'Hamid. Camping in the desert, trekking and expeditions to the high dunes are very popular. You can do them overnight or for several days, by camel, 4x4, motor bike or quad bike.

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+

If you plan to take two activities in desert, consider starting with a less intensive experience and proceeding to a more adventurous.

[[Image:Morocco 341.jpg|thumb|Erg Chigaga dunes]]

[[Image:Morocco 341.jpg|thumb|Erg Chigaga dunes]]

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===Camel trips and 4x4===

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Camel trips and 4x4 are provided by many outlets in the village.

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* <do name="Sahara Desert Travel" email="[email protected]" phone="+212 (0) 670-83-45-76" url="http://www.sahara-desert-travel.com" hours="" price=""> Sahara desert Travel is an agency specialized in trekking trips. We offer highlighted walking trips and contact with the local population. We are also interested in eco-tourism and responsible tourism. Trips are organized from few days to real expedition, trekking of 1 to 15 days.</do>

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===Camel trips and 4x4===

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* <do name="Cynab Voyages" email="[email protected]" phone="+212 (0) 524-43-69-56" url="http://www.cynabvoyages.com" hours="" price=""> Cynab Voyages is a family-owned Moroccan-American tour operator based in Marrakech with over 20 years of experience. The company uses only local guides with a love for their country and a knack for making travelers feel at home. Every guide speaks Arabic, Amazigh, French, and English. While offering standard packages, itineraries are often tailored to travellers’ particular interests. </do>

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Camel trips and 4x4 are provided by many outlets in the village.

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* <do name="ZbarTravel" alt="" address="M'Hamid Centre" directions="next to Hotel El Ghizlane" phone="+212 (0) 668-51-72-80" url="http://www.zbartravel.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" 68="68" 51="51" 72="72" fax=""> A friendly and family-run desert travel business providing work for local people. Offers many different types of desert tours according to budget and client requirements/capabilities from 4x4 excursions, walking tours, camel treks, bivouac camps and sandboarding - short and long duration. Excellent knowledge of local area and with office in Ouarzazate for arranging other Moroccan itineraries.</do>

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* <do name="Sahara Best Travel" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.saharabesttravel.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long=""> First-class tour company operated by a local family in Mhamid and offers camel trekking, 4x4 excursions, and bivouac tenting. Check out our website at [http://www.saharabesttravel.com www.saharabesttravel.com]for more information on our desert tours as well as others around Morocco.</do>

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* <do name="Marhba au Sahara" url=http://www.marhba-au-sahara.com"> A small family company offering tours and excursions both by 4x4 and camel through Southern Morocco and the desert. The prices include all meals, overnight stays, guide, transport and all visits.</do>

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* <do name="Caravane de reve" alt="" address="M'Hamid Centre" directions="oposite of the mosque, " phone="+212 670020033" url="http://www.caravane-de-reve.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" fax=""> A family-run, friendly, experienced and licensed desert travel business providing work for local people. Offers different types of desert tours, like 4x4 excursions, walking tours, camel treks, bivouac camps and sandboarding - short and long duration. Apart from trips and stays in the local area and to erg Chegaga also bigger Morocco tours are on the board, all according to the budget and the clients requirements. Spoken languages are Arabic, English, French and Spanish. Cuisine and the experience of home visits for food & tea time are included. </do>

* <do name="ZbarTravel" alt="" address="M'Hamid Centre" directions="next to Hotel El Ghizlane" phone="+212 668 517280" url="http://www.zbartravel.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" fax=""> A friendly and family-run desert travel business providing work for local people. Offers many different types of desert tours according to budget and client requirements/capabilities from 4x4 excursions, walking tours, camel treks, bivouac camps and sandboarding - short and long duration. Excellent knowledge of local area and with office in Ouarzazate for arranging other Moroccan itineraries.</do>

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* <do name="Dar sidi bounou" url="http://www.darsidibounou.com"> A small kasbah owned and operated by a Canadian Artist Nancy with her Berber husband Daoud. Where people can spend a night and trek to the desert in overnight trips both by camel and 4x4.</do>

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* <do name="Marhba au Sahara" url=http://www.marhba-au-sahara.com">A small family company offering tours and excursions both by 4x4 and camel through Southern Morocco and the desert. The prices include all meals, overnight stays, guide, transport and all visits.</do>

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* <do name="Sahara Services" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+212 (0) 661-77-67-66" url="http://www.saharaservices.info" hours="" price="" lat="" long=""> A customer-end intermediary for desert trips (both camel and 4x4) that is well connected with most of the local providers (and individual guides/car-owners?), but also seem to receive a huge part of price you pay. Don't confuse with many outlets in MHamid that also have a Sahara Services sign--use [http://saharaservices.info/images/cameltour057.JPG photo from their site] as a reference or just call them.</do>

* <do name="Naims Terrific Travel Services" phone="+212 (0) 666-05-20-02"> A small but friendly travel service who can arrange guided, personalized tours of the whole of Morocco but specialize in the Saharan region. Small group tours staying and eating in local private houses a possibility.</do>

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* <do name="Sahara Services" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+212 661 77 67 66" url="http://www.saharaservices.info" hours="" price="" lat="" long=""> A customer-end intermediary for desert trips (both camel and 4x4) that is well connected with most of the local providers (and individual guides/car-owners?), but also seem to receive a huge part of price you pay. Don't confuse with many outlets in MHamid that also have a Sahara Services sign.</do>

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* <do name="Chiri Biri"> A mid-level intermediary that Sahara Services works with (in turn, it contacts people actually performing the trip for the clients). Unlike their subcontractors, Chiri Biri asks for feedback on guide and food after your trip--presumably for improving subcontractors work. ''No contacts known so far.''</do>

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* <do name="Naims Terrific Travel Services" phone="+212 666 052002"> A small but friendly travel service who can arrange guided, personalised tours of the whole of Morocco but specialise in the Saharan region. Small group tours staying and eating in local private houses a possibility.</do>

* <do name="Sahara Best Travel" phone="+212 (0) 662-53-43-35" url="http://www.saharabesttravel.com/index.html"> A family-owned agency operated by a licensed Moroccan guide from M'hamid, now based out of Marrakech. Services include: personalized tours of the Sahara with camels and/or 4x4 vehicles, visits to historical kasbahs and Berber villages, guided desert trekking, travel arrangements from the airports in Marrakech or Ouarzazate. Contact Houssine Fathallah</do>

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* <do name="Driss Aventures" phone="+212 672 48 16 60">A very experienced licensed Moroccan guide with a great sense of humour from M'Hamid with an agency in [[Ouarzazate]]. Tailor-made trips for one or several days, trekking with camels or stays in bivouacs. Combination of trips to desert with other sights on the road to the desert, including exquisite cuisine and possibility to experience home visits for food &amp; tea time.</do>

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* <do name="Driss Aventures" phone="+212 (0) 672-48-16-60"> A very experienced licensed Moroccan guide with a great sense of humour from M'Hamid with an agency in [[Ouarzazate]]. Tailor-made trips for one or several days, trekking with camels or stays in bivouacs. Combination of trips to desert with other sights on the road to the desert, including exquisite cuisine and possibility to experience home visits for food & tea time. Contact Driss Himoud</do>

* <do name="Mhamidtravel" email="[email protected]" phone="+212 (0) 668-16-79-18"> Experience biovacing in the ancient sand dunes of Chgaga, camel trip to the back desert of Hmada and Dravali, see the history of this area with your own senses, meet the friendly Bedouin and learn their customs. Find all of these experiences plus the knowledge of the Tuareg, Mohammed Sbai as your experienced guide.</do>

'''Quad Evasion''' [http://www.quadevasionmaroc.com], +212 (0) 661-77-54-78 or +212 (0) 544-84-86-92, located 5km before M'Hamid. Seemingly the only provider for quad bikes and buggies rental--but is doing that professionally. Quad bikes are one-driver-a-time, while buggies are two-persons-at-once. Serves both 1- or 2-hour trips and multiple-day advanced tours.

=== Tent rental ===

=== Tent rental ===

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Most tourist companies working in town offer tent rental for your own trip to desert.

Most tourist companies working in town offer tent rental for your own trip to desert.

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=== Motor Bikes ===

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=== Motorbikes ===

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No rental available in the town, still every week several groups of enthusiasts come to ride bikes in a desert.

No rental available in the town, still every week several groups of enthusiasts come to ride bikes in a desert.

==Buy==

==Buy==

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Markets on Mondays: vegetables and fruits brought from other regions by camels.

Markets on Mondays: vegetables and fruits brought from other regions by camels.

'''Dar Sidi Bounou''' [http://www.darsidibounou.com] offers breakfast, Lunch and Dinner from their locally grown garden at the old house they converted into a bed and breakfast hotel by the desert.

==Drink==

==Drink==

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There are no bars in M'Hamid. It is a very conservative town that strictly observes the Sharia law banning alcohol.

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There are no bars in M'Hamid. It is a very conservative town that strictly observes local laws banning alcohol.

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Ensure that you carry sufficient supplies of water if venturing into the desert.

==Sleep==

==Sleep==

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* <sleep name="Dar Azawad" address="" directions="located 5km before M'Hamid" phone="+212 (0) 524-84-87-30" email="" fax="" checkin="" checkout="" price="" url="http://www.darazawad.com/">Key personnel speaks English good enough. Rooms are stylish imitations of berber tents and small kasbahs. Otherwise, small package tour-style impersonal hotel: tourists in crisp clothes, not talking to each other; swimming pool as a center of entertainment; sleep-eat-swim-drink routine with little interest to the world outside the hotel. Overall, the place is more European than Moroccan, with local flavour found only in decor, slightly in the cuisine and in dutyfree-like souvenir shop. However, helpful hosts and daily cleaning in rooms. Tent floors are not swept for days, and are full of sand dust. ''Details:'' Owner name: Vincent Jaquet; another host (co-owner?): Christian.</sleep>

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*<sleep name="Dar Sidi Bounou" alt="" address="Dar Sidi Bounou, Bounou, M’Hamid, Province of Zagora, Morocco" directions="Located 5km before M'Hamid" phone="+212 (0) 524-84-87-30" url="www.darsidibounou.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="€30-50" lat="" long="">A charming traditional Daub House located in a Palmerie Garden at Bounou, four Km. before the end of the paved road at M’hamid in the Pied du Dunes of the Sahara in the South East of Morocco…. renovated recently to provide high quality comfortable accommodation at reasonable prices to discerning individual travellers or small groups seeking the special tranquillity of the desert with the possibility of experiencing the colourful local culture of this remote and beautiful place. This property originally had a small traditional daub house on it as well as about fifty palm trees. Rather than knock it down and rebuild with cement it was decided to leave as much as possible of the original structure and to strengthen it, enlarge it and then to add modern facilities. Working with local builders and craftsmen who still have the traditional skills and using , as far as possible the beldi (country) style materials such as daub, palm and cassia wood , which have a simple intrinsic beauty of their own , the house was repaired and made functional and comfortable.</sleep>

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* <sleep name="Dar Azawad" address="" directions="located 5 km before M'Hamid" phone="+212 524 848730" email="" fax="" checkin="" checkout="" price="" url="http://www.darazawad.com/">Rooms are stylish imitations of berber tents and small kasbahs. Otherwise, small package tour-style impersonal hotel: tourists in crisp clothes, not talking to each other; swimming pool as a centre of entertainment; sleep-eat-swim-drink routine with little interest to the world outside the hotel. Overall, the place is more European than Moroccan, with local flavour found only in decor, slightly in the cuisine and in dutyfree-like souvenir shop. However, helpful hosts and daily cleaning in rooms. Tent floors are not swept for days, and are full of sand dust. Some staff speak limited but functional English.</sleep>

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*<sleep name="Dar Sidi Bounou" alt="" address="Bounou, M’Hamid" directions="5 km before M'Hamid" phone="+212 524 848730" url="http://www.darsidibounou.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="€30-50" lat="" long="">A traditional daub house located in a palmerie garden. Renovated recently by a Canadian artist Nancy and her Berber husband. A small traditional daub house has been enlarged and improved with modern facilities and using, as far as possible the beldi (country) style materials such as daub, palm and cassia wood. It is both functional and comfortable whilst still retaining a stylish yet rustic theme. 3 double and a single bedrooms are in the house, they have terrace and ensuite bathrooms with hot water and European style toilets. There are also Nwalla huts and traditional black Berber tents with garden terraces, or you can sleep on the upper roof. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is available with some ingredients from their garden. Treks to the desert in overnight trips both by camel and 4x4 arranged.</sleep>

*<sleep name="Hotel Sahara" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="" lat="29.828658" long="-5.723405">Legendary and very friendly, run by the Naamani brothers, Habib and Hassan. It is basic but after a week on a camel even hot water is luxurious and they have Internet.</sleep>

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*<sleep name="Hotel Sahara" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="" lat="29.828658" long="-5.723405">Run by the freindly Naamani brothers, Habib and Hassan. It is basic but after a week on a camel even hot water is luxurious and they have internet.</sleep>

Begging children are unregularly numerous in the village, presumably thanks to many tourists arriving directly from the airport to M'Hamid to spend large sums on 4x4s, hardly seen Moroccan realities elsewhere.

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There are numerous begging children in the village, presumably thanks to many tourists arriving directly from the airport to M'Hamid to spend large sums on 4x4 treks.

==Get out==

==Get out==

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Getting out is basically what one does in M'Hamid. Camel treks, nights in the desert, and 4x4 expeditions to the high dunes are very popular.

{{outline}}

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{{IsIn|Saharan_Morocco}}

{{IsIn|Saharan_Morocco}}

Revision as of 04:59, 5 November 2012

M'Hamid is a small village in Zagora region of Morocco, 98 km after Zagora, one of the two places in Morocco where Sahara begins (another is Merzouga). M'Hamid gets fewer visitors than Merzouga and is arguably more "authentic." It is about 7-8 hours by car from Marrakech and 5 hours from Ourzazate. It is "The end of the road" (the last point of The route national N°9), after it is only sands of Sahara, shepherds and caravan trails.

Contents

Understand

M'Hamid is next to the last major oasis one encounters on the way south into the greater Sahara. The area was historically important as the site (Sidi Khalil) where trade caravans gathered (some as large as 5,000 camels) before setting off to Timbuktu and other destinations. Little of its interesting history is to be found on websites or in tourist guide books, but knowledgeable locals share the facts and stories with pride and a touch of melancholy.

M'Hamid is also known as Bounou, once a thriving village made out of a mix of local Ait Atta berbers, Local drawa, and local Hassani tribes. The villages of Oulad Youssef, Oulad Mhaya and Ezouaya, amongst others, are scattered throughout the oasis. Local people get around on foot but small motorbikes are very popular too. Donkey carts are in widespread use for transporting goods.

The environment is harsh and fragile. You are urged to appreciate how scarce water is in the town. In the past taps went dry by early afternoon on many days. Despite this and to the severe frustration of locals, a number of the hotels have swimming pools. Choose wisely where you invest your money... it seems more sensible to head to the Moroccan coast if you are keen for a swim, desert temperatures notwithstanding.

Get in

By car

Around 2005, an asphalt road came to M'Hamid so you can reach the village from Ouarzazate by virtually any car. The trip from Ouarzazate is memorable, passing through small villages, the regional center of Zagora, and over a pass into the open desert.

By bus

You can take a CTM bus from Casablanca, Marrakech, or any city along the N9 road (Ouarzazate, Zagora, Tagounite). From Ouarzazate the trip is something like DH80; from Marrakech it is DH110 (as of 3/2011). CTM leaves from Marrakech around 12:30 and from Ouarzazate at 16:15 and reaches M'hamid anywhere between 21:00-11PM (as of 3/2011). Other bus companies exist, like SupraTours, Voyages Farah, et al.

Get around

M'Hamid is a small town that is easily explored by foot.

See

There is a mosque in town, but as with the rest of Morocco, is not open to non-muslims. A Kasbah is located about 2Km away on the road out of town (take a left at the mosque). The kasbah is inhabited by black Africans who came from Mali many years ago.

Other than this, the main attraction are the Erg Chigaga dunes which are about 60 km from the town. Overnight trips can be arrainged by many outfitters in M'Hamid.

Do

The main thing people come to M'Hamid for is trips to desert.

Getting out is basically what one does in M'Hamid. Camping in the desert, trekking and expeditions to the high dunes are very popular. You can do them overnight or for several days, by camel, 4x4, motor bike or quad bike.

If you plan to take two activities in desert, consider starting with a less intensive experience and proceeding to a more adventurous.

Erg Chigaga dunes

Camel trips and 4x4

Camel trips and 4x4 are provided by many outlets in the village.

Sahara Best Travel, [1]. First-class tour company operated by a local family in Mhamid and offers camel trekking, 4x4 excursions, and bivouac tenting. Check out our website at www.saharabesttravel.comfor more information on our desert tours as well as others around Morocco.

Caravane de reve, M'Hamid Centre (oposite of the mosque,), ☎+212 670020033, [2]. A family-run, friendly, experienced and licensed desert travel business providing work for local people. Offers different types of desert tours, like 4x4 excursions, walking tours, camel treks, bivouac camps and sandboarding - short and long duration. Apart from trips and stays in the local area and to erg Chegaga also bigger Morocco tours are on the board, all according to the budget and the clients requirements. Spoken languages are Arabic, English, French and Spanish. Cuisine and the experience of home visits for food & tea time are included.

ZbarTravel, M'Hamid Centre (next to Hotel El Ghizlane), ☎+212 668 517280, [3]. A friendly and family-run desert travel business providing work for local people. Offers many different types of desert tours according to budget and client requirements/capabilities from 4x4 excursions, walking tours, camel treks, bivouac camps and sandboarding - short and long duration. Excellent knowledge of local area and with office in Ouarzazate for arranging other Moroccan itineraries.

Marhba au Sahara, [4]. A small family company offering tours and excursions both by 4x4 and camel through Southern Morocco and the desert. The prices include all meals, overnight stays, guide, transport and all visits.

Sahara Services, ☎+212 661 77 67 66, [6]. A customer-end intermediary for desert trips (both camel and 4x4) that is well connected with most of the local providers (and individual guides/car-owners?), but also seem to receive a huge part of price you pay. Don't confuse with many outlets in MHamid that also have a Sahara Services sign.

Naims Terrific Travel Services, ☎+212 666 052002. A small but friendly travel service who can arrange guided, personalised tours of the whole of Morocco but specialise in the Saharan region. Small group tours staying and eating in local private houses a possibility.

Driss Aventures, ☎+212 672 48 16 60. A very experienced licensed Moroccan guide with a great sense of humour from M'Hamid with an agency in Ouarzazate. Tailor-made trips for one or several days, trekking with camels or stays in bivouacs. Combination of trips to desert with other sights on the road to the desert, including exquisite cuisine and possibility to experience home visits for food & tea time.

Buy

Eat

Drink

There are no bars in M'Hamid. It is a very conservative town that strictly observes local laws banning alcohol.

Ensure that you carry sufficient supplies of water if venturing into the desert.

Sleep

Dar Azawad, (located 5 km before M'Hamid), ☎+212 524 848730, [7]. Rooms are stylish imitations of berber tents and small kasbahs. Otherwise, small package tour-style impersonal hotel: tourists in crisp clothes, not talking to each other; swimming pool as a centre of entertainment; sleep-eat-swim-drink routine with little interest to the world outside the hotel. Overall, the place is more European than Moroccan, with local flavour found only in decor, slightly in the cuisine and in dutyfree-like souvenir shop. However, helpful hosts and daily cleaning in rooms. Tent floors are not swept for days, and are full of sand dust. Some staff speak limited but functional English.

Dar Sidi Bounou, Bounou, M’Hamid (5 km before M'Hamid), ☎+212 524 848730, [8]. A traditional daub house located in a palmerie garden. Renovated recently by a Canadian artist Nancy and her Berber husband. A small traditional daub house has been enlarged and improved with modern facilities and using, as far as possible the beldi (country) style materials such as daub, palm and cassia wood. It is both functional and comfortable whilst still retaining a stylish yet rustic theme. 3 double and a single bedrooms are in the house, they have terrace and ensuite bathrooms with hot water and European style toilets. There are also Nwalla huts and traditional black Berber tents with garden terraces, or you can sleep on the upper roof. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is available with some ingredients from their garden. Treks to the desert in overnight trips both by camel and 4x4 arranged.€30-50.

Hotel Elgizlane B&B, (in the centre of town), ☎+212 668 517280, [9]. Local staff have some English language skills. Rooms are simple and good. Good for travellers setting off on a desert trip. Coffee, tea and local food.€12.

Hotel Sahara. Run by the freindly Naamani brothers, Habib and Hassan. It is basic but after a week on a camel even hot water is luxurious and they have internet.(29.828658,-5.723405)